The Central Bank Governors of the South Pacific region met in Samoa last week. The occasion was the 33rd Pacific Central Bank Governors’ meeting, based on the theme “Strengthening Collaboration”, with the objective of promoting the prosperity and economic welfare of our member nations.

The Minister of Education, Sports and Culture, Loau Keneti Sio, took opened the Samoa Sailing Association’s Race Management Clinic at the Apia Yacht Club. The four-day event will serve to train the officials and others involved in running sailing at the Pacific Games in Samoa next year.

The Government of Japan has presented a refurbished school building which included extra classrooms to the Solosolo Primary School. Japan’s ambassador to Samoa, Shinya Aoki, made the presentation recently on behalf of his government to the Solosolo village community.

Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited (A.N.Z.) customers can expect an improved digital transaction system next month. The bank’s Regional Executive, Tessa Price said A.N.Z. is the first bank in the Pacific that will launch a Pacific wide app with enhanced features to make payment easier for their customers.

The Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited’s (A.N.Z.) financial inclusion strategy has benefited the Pacific in numerous ways, including Samoans. This is according to the bank’s Regional Executive, Tessa Price, who was referring to their Money Minded course and how it has economically transformed the lives of Pacific peoples.

The Bank South Pacific (B.S.P.) is the most profitable organisation in the Pacific region, says the Group Chief Operating Officer, Robert Loggia. “I know that in the non-mineral extraction business, we are the largest tax payer in Papua New Guinea.

It’s probably not the first online job advertising website in Samoa, but it definitely will be the best that Samoa has ever had. That is the assurance of 33-year-old William Curry who was referring to his newly launched website – Samoa Vacancies, a platform for employers and business to advertise vacant positions.

Samoa Electrical Power Corporation has received their first Bucket Truck—also known as a cherry picker—from New Zealand. E.P.C. staff underwent training last Friday at Vaitele to enable them to use the equipment safely and effectively. The Corporation’s chief engineer (distribution and utilisation), Tafu Salevao, ran the training for the staff.

When Caritas Samoa, a small new Catholic organisation, launched in 2008, they did not expect to be building houses in the wake of a storm. But in 2009, just days after a tsunami simulation exercise, the real thing hit.

Caritas Samoa celebrated their 10th year anniversary at the Tu’utu’uileloloto Hall with speeches highlighting their triumphs, performances for entertainment and food. The National Director of Caritas Samoa, Monica Sio said the future of the organization is looking up for the next ten years.

The moratorium imposed on the administration of the Mumps, Measles and Rubella (M.M.R.) vaccine in hospitals in Samoa has been lifted. This was confirmed by Minister of Health, Tuitama Dr Leao Tuitama in response to questions from the Samoa Observer. “We have a new rigorous approach to assure the mistakes of the past will not be repeated.

A man has been sentenced to three years imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to planting 71 marijuana plants. Ulugia Sala Suivai, 41, of Vaiusu appeared before Supreme Court Justice Vui Clarence Nelson last Friday and was found guilty, with the presiding Judge emphasising that the penalties for drug sellers in Samoa should be severe.

A man who was taken into custody in connection with the death of his wife has filed a bail application in the Supreme Court. Kolani Junior Lam made the application before the Chief Justice, His Honour Patu Tiava’asu’e Falefatu Sapolu, through his counsel Leiataualesa Komisi Koria. He was scheduled to appear in Court next Monday, but the bail application saw his appearance brought forward to yesterday.

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sa’ilele Malielegaoi says the attack on him by two men in Brisbane, Australia, last week was a “storm in a teacup” with a “political element.” He made the comment in an interview released by the Press Secretariat yesterday, where he also called the attackers “rascals” and “pipsqueaks.”

They say that the first step towards true change is through effective awareness – and what better way to increase environmental awareness than to build the environmental capacity of local youth so that they may grow and be the change their communities need.

Samoa is being represented at the 10th Asia Pacific Red Cross Presidents Regional a conference in Manila, Philippines. Leading the delegation is President of the Red Cross, Leiataua Jerry Brunt. He is accompanied by the Secretary General Namulauulu Tautala Maualaivao and a Youth Delegate and Board Member, Deborah Koon Wai You.

I want to share a reflection on suicide by quoting from a speech I made in 2002 because it is relevant and topical. Rituals also express meaning, nuance and metaphor. During (former) Prime Minister’s Helen Clark’s wreathe presentation at Tamasese’s grave, 4 June 2002, Lufi Falefa and Salani could have chanted the funeral chants, the birth chants, the war chants, the victory chants.

P.M. on Church leaders
It seems Prime Minister Tuilaepa can’t leave members of clergy alone.
During a radio programme last week, he had plenty to say about Church Ministers. For instance, he reminded them that Church Ministers were only taught on spiritual matters, not on Economics.